3.3 Pain

3.3.1 Types and theories of pain.

• functions of pain; types of pain: acute and chronic pain. Focus on phantom limb pain and mirror treatment to include a case study, e.g. MacLachlan et al. (2004).
• theories of pain: specificity theory, gate control theory.
• Relevant issues and debates and methodology for this topic include: individual and situational explanations, nature versus nurture, reductionism versus holism, determinism versus free-will, case study.

This matters because —types and theories of pain determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply —types and theories of pain to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: —Types and theories of pain is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

3.3.2 Measuring pain.

• subjective measures including clinical interview.
• psychometric measures and visual rating scales:.
• McGill pain questionnaire.
• visual analogue scale (exemplified by the following key study). Key Study on comparing pain assessments by doctors, parents and children: Brudvik et al. (2016).

This matters because —measuring pain determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply —measuring pain to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: —Measuring pain is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

3.3.3 Managing and controlling pain.

• biological treatment: biochemical.
• psychological treatments: cognitive strategies (attention diversion, non-pain imagery and cognitive redefinition).
• alternative treatments: acupuncture; stimulation therapy/TENS.
• Relevant issues and debates and methodology for this topic include: application to everyday life, cultural differences, reductionism versus holism, determinism versus free-will, idiographic versus nomothetic, objective and subjective data.

This matters because —managing and controlling pain determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply —managing and controlling pain to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: —Managing and controlling pain is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.